Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC

Charter Communications Operating, LLC

Ahmed Bencheikh

Don Gunasekara

Venkata Ramana Divvi

Umamaheswar Achari Kakinada

Shane B Newberg

Arun Manroa

Praveen C Srivastava

Kiran R Yeddala

John Kim

Bryan Philip Goldberg

Priyank Vira

Praveen Srivastava

Haider H Syed

Christopher J Teague

Perwaiz Akhtar

Vijay Kumar Mechineni

Laxman Nallani

Manoj Kumar Das

Muhammad Gill

A wireless access point receives a request from a communication device for wireless access to a remote network. An authentication resource authenticates the communication device to use a wireless network provided by the wireless access point. Prior to providing notification to the communication device that it has been authenticated, a communication management resource produces data flow control settings and applies the data flow control settings to a communication gateway. Thereafter, the communication device is notified that it has been authenticated via the authentication resource. The communication gateway then controls flow of data through a communication gateway to the remote network via implementation of the data flow control settings.

Authentication and data flow control configuration

Methods and apparatus for monitoring and controlling access to coexisting first and second networks within a venue. In one embodiment, the first network is a managed content delivery network that includes one or more wireless access points (APs) in data communication with a backend controller which communicates with a dedicated background scanner. The background scanner scans for coexisting networks within the venue, and reports this to the controller. In one variant, the controller dynamically adjusts transmit characteristics of the AP(s) to manage interference between the coexisting networks. In another variant, the controller causes the energy detect threshold of a client device to be lowered so that the device may detect WLAN signals in a scenario where a coexisting RAT (for example, LTE-U or LTE-LAA) occupies the same channel and/or frequency.

Methods and apparatus for dynamic control of connections to co-existing radio access networks

Methods and apparatus for providing quasi-licensed spectrum access within an area or venue. In one embodiment, the quasi-licensed spectrum utilizes 3.5 GHz CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) spectrum allocated by a Federal or commercial SAS (Spectrum Access System) to a managed content delivery network that includes one or more wireless access nodes (e.g., CBSDs and APs) in data communication with a controller. In one variant, the controller dynamically allocates (i) spectrum within the area or venue within CBRS bands, and (ii) MSO users or subscribers to CBRS bands or WLAN (e.g., public ISM) bands in to manage interference between the coexisting networks, and maximize user experience. In another variant, the controller cooperates with a provisioning server to implement a client device application program or 'app' on MSO user or subscriber client devices which enables inter-RAT access.

Methods and apparatus for dynamic control and utilization of quasi-licensed wireless spectrum

Methods and apparatus for providing quasi-licensed spectrum access within a prescribed area or venue, including to users or subscribers of one or more Mobile Network Operators (MNOs). In one embodiment, the quasi-licensed spectrum utilizes 3.5 GHz CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) spectrum allocated by a Federal or commercial SAS (Spectrum Access System) to a managed content delivery network that includes one or more wireless access nodes (e.g., CBSDs) in data communication with a controller, and the core(s) of the MNO network(s). In one variant, the controller dynamically allocates (i) spectrum within the area or venue within CBRS bands, and (ii) MNO 'roaming' users or subscribers to CBRS bands (e.g., via extant LTE-TD technology). In one particular implementation, the managed network comprises a Multiple Systems Operator (MSO) network such as a cable or satellite network, and the MSO and MNO coordinate to implement user-specific and/or data-specific policies for the roaming MNO subscribers.

Methods and apparatus for coordinated utilization of quasi-licensed wireless spectrum

A wireless communication link between a wireless access point and a mobile communication device supports multiple data flows. Each of the data flows can be configured to convey a different type of data. Based on monitoring events/conditions such as conveyance of communications over each of the multiple data flows, a communication management resource selectively assigns data flow compression settings to each of the multiple data flows. Based on the assigned compression settings, the mobile communication device and/or wireless access point communicate packet delivery data (such as network address information) over the data flows. For example, in accordance with the generated compression settings, packet delivery data for data packets conveyed over a first data flow are compressed, while packet delivery data for data packets conveyed over a second data flow are not compressed.

Dynamic use of header compression in a wireless network

Instead of monitoring a wireless region for beacons, to learn of availability of different wireless access points in a particular geographical region, an end user-operated communication device generates a network discovery request message. The communication device initiates wireless broadcast of the network discovery request message from the user-operated communication device to any of one or more listening non-beacon-generating wireless access points in a wireless network environment. Each of the non-beacon generating wireless access points receiving the network discovery request message from the user-operated communication device produces a respective network discovery response message including network identity information (such as one or more SSIDs) associated with the respective non-beacon generating wireless access point. The non-beacon generating wireless access points transmit network discovery response messages to the user-operated communication device, informing the communication device of network availability.

Management frames and usage in a wireless network environment

Apparatus and methods for monitoring a wireless network such as a WLAN to characterize a venue or other area. In one embodiment, the network comprises a WLAN which includes one or more access points (APs) in data communication with a controller, which in turn communicates with managed network entities via a backhaul connection. The controller s is configured to monitor the operation of the network components including the APs, as well as one or more fixed or mobile sensors. In one variant, the sensors provide data relating to wireless signal performance at their current location, which can be provided to a cloud-based evaluation process for enhanced characterization of the venue in conjunction with the AP-derived data. In the exemplary embodiment, logic operative to run on the system includes automated seating allocation suggestions, thereby providing end users with a better quality experience.

Apparatus and methods for providing wireless service in a venue

Methods and apparatus for providing quasi-licensed spectrum access within an area or application so as to enable 'end to end' IoT (Internet of Things) device connectivity. In one embodiment, the quasi-licensed spectrum utilizes 3.5 GHz CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) spectrum allocated by a Federal or commercial SAS (Spectrum Access System) to a managed content delivery network that includes one or more wireless access nodes (e.g., CBSDs (Citizens Broadband radio Service Devices) and IoT hubs or gateways) in data communication with a controller. In one variant, the controller dynamically allocates (i) spectrum within the area or venue within CBRS bands, and (ii) MSO (multiple systems operator) users or subscribers to CBRS bands or IoT (Internet of Things) bands (e.g., public ISM (industrial, scientific and medical)) bands to maximize connectivity and performance. In another variant, the controller cooperates with a provisioning server to implement a client device application program or 'app' on an end user IoT device which enables inter-RAT (radio access technology) connectivity.

Methods and apparatus for utilization of quasi-licensed wireless spectrum for IOT (internet-of-things) services

Methods and apparatus for monitoring and controlling access to coexisting first and second networks, such as within a venue. In one embodiment, the first network is a managed network that includes wireless access points (APs) in data communication with a backend controller, which communicates with a client process on a user device. The client process uses indigenous radio technology of the user device to scan for coexisting networks, and report results to the controller. In one variant, the controller dynamically adjusts transmit characteristics of the AP(s) to manage interference between the coexisting networks. In another variant, the controller causes the energy detect threshold of the user device to be lowered so that it may detect WLAN signals when a coexisting RAT (for example, LTE-U or LTE-LAA) occupies the same channel and/or frequency. In another variant, the client process autonomously adjusts user device operation based on the scan.

Methods and apparatus for client-based dynamic control of connections to co-existing radio access networks

Apparatus and methods for monitoring a wireless local area network (WLAN) to identify inoperative or degraded devices and restore network connectivity to end users. In one embodiment, the network includes one or more access points (APs) in data communication with a cable modem, which in turn communicates with managed network entities via a backhaul connection. Each AP is configured to provide connectivity to client devices, as well as monitor the operation of other network components including the cable modem, via logic indigenous to the AP, and invoke corrective action when failures or degraded performance is detected. In one variant, the logic operative to run on the AP includes both diagnostic and self-healing functionality, so as to enable at least partial automated diagnosis, localization, and recovery from faults, thereby obviating costly troubleshooting by the network operator or service personnel.

Apparatus and methods for monitoring and diagnosing a wireless network

According to one configuration, an example communication system includes a primary wireless station, multiple candidate wireless stations, and a remote network. The primary wireless station is in communication with one or more of the multiple candidate wireless stations. During operation, when the primary wireless station needs to provide one or more communication devices access to a remote network, the primary wireless station monitors presence of the multiple candidate wireless stations. Each of the multiple candidate wireless stations is available to support a wireless backhaul link from the primary wireless station to a remote (such as a core) network. The primary wireless station is operable to select an appropriate candidate wireless station amongst the multiple candidate wireless stations. Via the selected candidate wireless station, the primary wireless station establishes a backhaul link to the remote network.

Growing community of inventors

Lorton, VA, United States of America

Ahmed Bencheikh